Armani Code: A Sure Bet

Our boy blogger, Cade, says ... I saw this and had to share it. I’m not sure if it’s that I’m a guy, that I love playing poker, that I moved here from Texas (it is Texas Hold `Em, after all), or what, but there’s a new fragrance set that is hawt. Yeah, I said it! Armani just released a new fragrance set for men. It includes a cool bottle upgrade (limited collector’s edition) and the best part? A sleek Giorgio Armani signature set deck of playing cards. IMHGO (In My Humble Guy Opinion), that beats the heck out of the aftershave or deodorant that usually comes with fragrance sets. So, for anyone out there with a man in their life who has the Texas Hold `Em fever, likes poker nights with his buddies, or is just a gambling enthusiast, this is the gift of the year. P.S. Guys secretly love to be spoiled too (cough, Valentine’s Day, cough). Armani Code is one excellent scent, and when combined into this themed set, there’s nothing to lose! I know when I’m playing poker, I like to know I’m betting on a sure thing.—Cade Peterson, Sephora

Gift Idea: ghd, 1-2-3

Because I work for Sephora, my friends and family (eagerly) expect bags full of beauty when the holidays hit. So, in an attempt to infuse my gift giving strategy with a little creativity and surprise, I've been trolling for pretty presents that allow for a personal spin or two. Here's my latest idea, should you want to borrow it. Start with one of our most lust-worthy items of the season—ghd's Holiday Glamour Styling Set. (Tangent: If you haven't already tried ghd's stylers, they're a-ma-zing. Good "for-me-from-me" gift!) Throw the mini bottles of Creation Spray Thermal Protector in your giftee's stocking, or use them as Secret Santa teasers. Fill the larger clutch with going-out essentials, like gum, the cute, rhinestone-studded compact mirror included, and Sephora's lip gloss cocktail ring. (This is free when you order the ghd set. Enter promo code RING at checkout.) Lastly, wrap the styler with the how-to dvd, using the adorable gold cosmetics pouch as a topper to put the "to" tag in. Suddenly, you're giving them multiple gifts, each one more glamorous than the next. That's the beauty of giving sets! —Mari Tzikas, Sephora

FREE Download! Stila's Glam Greeting Card

Stila's illustrator Caitlin Dinkins has illustrated an exclusive holiday card just for us! Recognize the girl? It's our gorgeous holiday princess, who Caitlin says she loved drawing. "I have to say that red hair and a green dress have, and will always be, one of my all time favorite color combos!" she admits.

Click here to get the printable version, which folds up into a greeting card with a special message inside. Then send it to all of your friends (or slap it on all your beauty gifts), with compliments from all of us at Stila and Sephora. Enjoy! —Mari Tzikas, Sephora

Power Hair: A Blowout Recipe for Success

"Men have power suits, women have power hair," said Allure editor-in-chief Linda Wells in an article called "Women Spare No Expense for Hair" in today's Indianapolis Star. "Women want strong, straight hair because it makes them feel confident." She's right. I've seen a few articles lately on "last minute beauty," (in anticipation of those holiday hangovers, no doubt), and one of my biggest take aways that experts suggest spending the little time you have drying your hair--makeup can come later. I obsess about this suggestion because, naturally, I do exactly the opposite--opting to powder my nose and line my lids, while throwing the wet hair up in a pony tail for that 9am meeting. To test this theory, I made a concerted effort to blow-dry my hair before work every day last week, and I've gotta admit, I've never gotten more compliments about how nice my hair looks (of course, that's probably because no one's ever seen it not wet and pulled up). And surprisingly, with the right tools, it took about 5 minutes. Here's my recipe for a quick, easy blowout. - Laura Kenney

The "Power" 3 Step Blowout Recipe
1. T3 Tourmaline Large Barrel Brush - If I could choose one constant hair styling tool for the rest of my life, this brush would be it. The fat barrel is infused with tourmaline so it gets super hot to dry your hair quickly and smoothly, no matter what hair dryer you use, and always with a gorgeous bounce. When I'm traveling, this puppy saves me major space because I don't have to worry about bringing my "nice" dryer. And you know it's good when all the women in my family are fighting over it.

2. T3 Bespoke Featherweight Dryer - The ultimate "quick" dryer, this puppy relies on ionic tourmaline crystals to dry hair 6 times faster.

3. Ojon Animated Styling Cream - To add texture, shine, and bring out the lines of my haircut, I smooth this styling cream on my ends. It's also great for taming those little hairs tht stick up straight after a blowout.

Backstage VIDEO: Our Holiday Photo Shoot

Where will you find glittering green eyes, shocking red lips, false lashes galore, and model Lydia Hearst, all in one place? Sephora's "Enchanted" holiday photo shoot, that's where. Watch our behind the scenes footage of makeup artist Charlotte Willer using green shadow, liner and tons of sparkles to turn our cover girl, Lydia Hearst, into a Princess... rich blue and purple shadows to create The Sorceress ... and sparkles and lashes for The Wood Nymph. Makeup artist Sylvia Dell'Orto creates the Snow Princess with striking red lips, snowy shadows, and seriously fringed lashes. So beautiful! —Jessica Anderson, Sephora

For the step by step on each look, visit Sephora.com's Get the Look section

Stila's Pro Gift Picks

We're pretty sure that if Sarah Lucero, Stila's Director of Education, had the holidays her way, she'd deck the halls with boughs of beauty. That said, she can't wait to throw a bow on some of her favorite new Stila offerings this gifting season. Here she gives us her top 3 picks for pretty presents.

Stila Gift of Glow
"You get a bronzer, eyeshadow trio, copper Smudge Pot, brush, and lip glaze for only $45. It really is an amazing gift."

Stila Smoky Eye Palette
"This is good for the girl who's into trends and fashion. The greens and purples work great with black, grey, and silver clothing. It's a wonderful addition to your winter makeup wardrobe."

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
"It's good for skin that's lost some brightness during the winter. The new #2 shade is peachier, which complements darker skin tones beautifully." (The new 1 oz size belongs in every beauty junkie's stocking, too!)

Stila-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! —Mari Tzikas, Sephora

The Way to a Man's Heart ...

… is definitely through his stomach. Anything that smells like Grandma's cookin' will score some serious brownie points, and more products are coming out just in time for the holidays that smell like holiday goodies. Some of the things that I've smelled lately that make my mouth salivate instantly are Laura Mercier's body and bath collections. My favorite this year? The Crème Brulee and the Chocolate Truffle. Who can forget about pumpkin pie during the holidays? It's my all-time favorite thing at holiday dinners. Also, I suggest this limited collection because it includes double rich hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, and fresh baked cinnamon buns. These all literally smell good enough to eat. My point: The more realistic smelling the product, the more brownie points. There are lots of delicious and realistic smelling food-related scented products but these are some of the most realistic I've found. It's this realistic quality that makes these a deal, rather than a deal-breaker. Bathe yourself and your home in something that smells disarmingly like his Grandma's house, and he'll get those soft, moist, romantic eyes—then hungrily want to eat you up. —Cade Peterson, Sephora

Too Early To Be Excited for HoIiday...or is it?

Confession: I'm the first to roll my eyes upon hearing "Silver Bells" booming in my local deli the day after Halloween. Outwardly, I'm simply aghast that the Holiday season could start so early. But on the inside, I'm absolutely giddy. The Holidays! Parties! Family! Friends! Gifts....Yay! So, you can imagine my not-so-secret excitement when I noticed that a few of the season's best gifts have quietly crept onto Sephora.com already (since I edit our holiday catalog, I've seen all the AMAZING gifts our brands are serving up this year). Here's a sneak peek at the gifts you can get now. Because, just like a chef, any good beauty gifter should sample before she serves.
- Laura Kenney

Bare Escentuals Classic Rock Flawless Diamond Color Collection - BE proves that Diamonds are a girls best friend with this mineral makeup collection that's made with real diamond powder ( I know, right?). Complete with a platinum clutch, it's everything you need to sparkle this season.

Benefit Powder Pop - Benefit addicts will be beaming over this box set of their most popular skin perfecting powders--Dallas, Hoola and Dandelion. It's brightening, in a box.

Too Faced Lights, Camera, Glamour! - This wins my award for cutest gift. It looks just like an old-skool jewlery box (you know, the kind with a spinning balleria), but instead of girlie music it packs a light-up mirror, plus an amazing collection of color.

Tarte We Wish You Wealth Palette - At the Sephora Holiday press event, all the beauty editors went gaga over this one. Full size shades of Tarte's existing colors (do you know how $$$ that is to produce? Very.) are packed in an iridescent purple quilted case.

Best of Benefit - Like your favorite great hits album, it packs all of Benefit's guiltiest pleasures in a gorgeously gift-able purple box.

LORAC Fairytale Life - It's an enchantingly collection of LORAC's best lip, eye and cheek colors in a sparky, lacy palette with a pull out drawer. Perfect for your favorite princesses.